Plans to tighten up laws for Portsmouth’s tattoo studios

Miles O’Leary

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STRICTER regulations could be imposed on Portsmouth’s tattoo parlours.

The council is carrying out a six-week consultation with tattooists to see if they would be happy being part of a stricter registration scheme.

The council wants to stamp out illegal practices and has ‘received intelligence’ that studios are tattooing people under 18.

In future it wants to make sure that proof of age documents are handed over when there’s any doubt about someone’s age.

Council officers also want to set up a Good Practice Charter which would set tougher hygiene and safety standards.

They hope the new measures will put people off getting tattoos from places which aren’t trusted.

Scott Hansler, owner of Kingston Ink, in Kingston Road, Buckland, said he was all in favour of the move.

‘This is a great idea,’ he said. ‘I’m all for it because it will lead to better standards.

‘People should always go and get a tattoo from a registered studio because kits at home don’t follow the same guidelines as we do. They are 100 per cent more likely to be at risk of infection because they could be using equipment which hasn’t been sterilised.

‘They could also be using the same needles over and over again. I’ve met a lot of people who have got infections from having a home-made tattoo done.’

‘Every time I get my parts from registered suppliers I have to produce an environmental health certificate which proves I’m a registered tattooist.’

Councillor Ken Ellcome said: ‘It’s definitely a good thing to ensure tattooists are complying with regulations.

‘Some people get badly-done tattoos which they are then stuck with for life.

‘This will make sure all tattooists are getting licensed and using good quality ink.’

Alan Cufley, the council’s head of corporate assets, business and standards, said in a report that changes needed to be made because tattooing had become increasingly popular.

If the proposals go ahead then registered studios will be transferred onto the amended scheme free of charge.

New venues will be charged an £110 admin fee and new tattooists will have to pay £55.